Zenith Introduces Six New Defy Models During LVMH Watch Week

This time, the brand from Le Locle brand focuses solely on the sporty Defy collection

January 20, 2026

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For Zenith, the start of 2026 is all about the Defy collection. Now, as a big fan of the brand, I found this move surprising. The Le Locle-based watchmaker celebrated its 150th anniversary last year, and the commemorative releases showed the great diversity of styles within Zenith’s collection. I suppose I expected the first new watches in this post-anniversary year do the same, but with the six new Defy models, at least the brand still displays how versatile this particular collection can be. From a new vintage-inspired Defy Revival and two regular 36mm Defy Skyline models to a Defy Skyline Chronograph and two Defy Skyline Skeleton variants, there is plenty to choose from. Let’s go over all the novelties to find out more.

Zenith Defy Revival A3643

Zenith released the first Defy Revival model in 2022, and since then, it has become a fan favorite. These retro Defy watches are also among the brand’s most affordable offerings, making them a great entry into the world of Zenith. The newest addition to the lineup is the Defy Revival A3643 (ref.03.A3642.670/01.M3642). This is a modern recreation of — you guessed it! — the Defy A3643 from 1969. It follows the specs of the models we have seen over the past three years, but it introduces a new sunray silver dial that is nearly the most modest yet, second only to the stealthy Defy Revival Shadow.

The watch features the familiar 37mm × 44mm stainless steel octagonal case with the signature 14-sided bezel. Underneath its sapphire crystal sits the silver sunray dial, which features applied, rhodium-plated, and faceted indexes along with rectangular plots of Super-LumiNova. Additionally, you will find a date window at 4:30. The faceted hands have a rhodium plating to match the indexes and contain a useful dose of Super-LumiNova. As you can see, the seconds hand has a hint of orange, providing a pinch of color.

Inside the 300m-water-resistant case beats Zenith’s in-house Elite 670 caliber. This automatic movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a 50-hour power reserve. Finishing the look is the iconic Gay Frères-style ladder bracelet, which makes wearing the watch super comfortable. The new Zenith Defy Revival A3643 is available for €7,900 / US$7,800 / £6,700.

Zenith Defy Skyline Chronograph in black ceramic

For something completely different, Zenith also introduces a black ceramic version of its Defy Skyline Chronograph (ref. 49.9500.3600/21.I001). The “DSC” debuted in 2024, and we have seen some good-looking versions of this modern chronograph since then. My favorite was, without a doubt, the special Boutique Edition from 2024, with its slate-gray and rose-gold-colored dial. This new variant is a stealthy, lightweight take on the watch. This one features the same 42mm × 47.4mm × 12.7mm case as previous models, only now it’s made of black ceramic. Zenith has matched it with a black ceramic bracelet and a black dial to make it a properly stealthy timepiece.

The black dial features the familiar Defy Skyline star pattern along with rhodium-plated and faceted indexes and hands. All of these have a coating of white Super-LumiNova, except for the chronograph hands, which have red accents for extra visual pizzazz.

Inside the case, you will find the Zenith El Primero 3600 caliber. This modern version of the classic El Primero chronograph movement can measure elapsed time precisely to 1/10th of a second. Once you click the start button, the chronograph’s seconds hand completes a full rotation every 10 seconds. This is possible thanks to the caliber’s 5Hz operating frequency, and the 60-hour power reserve is also nice to have. The new Zenith Defy Skyline Chronograph in black ceramic is available for €23,400 / US$23,600 / £20,400.

Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton in black ceramic

We’re staying on theme with the notably less stealthy black ceramic Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton with a rose-gold-colored open-worked dial (ref. 49.9300.3620/07.I001). The Defy Skeleton first launched during LVMH Watch Week in 2023 and has seen various forms over the past three years. For this new edition, Zenith has chosen to execute the 41mm × 47mm × 12.5mm case in black ceramic and pair it with a matching bracelet.

The rose-tone open-worked dial provides a good look at the skeletonized Zenith El Primero 3620 SK caliber. This automatic movement operates at 36,000 vibrations per hour and offers a 55-hour power reserve. The high-beat caliber has a constantly running 1/10th-of-a-second counter at 6 o’clock, so the small hand makes one lap every 10 seconds.

Both the faceted hands and indexes have a rose gold plating and a treatment with Super-LumiNova. If you’d like your Defy Skyline Skeleton to have a more reserved exterior and put the spotlight on the dial and caliber, this new version might be for you. The new Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton in black ceramic is available for €19,100 / US$18,900 / £16,400.

Zenith Defy Skyline 36

Next up are two new Zenith Defy Skyline 36 models. Both feature a silver-toned sunray dial with the familiar decorative star pattern. The first model is a regular stainless steel version (ref. 03.9400.670/01.I001), while the second has a bezel set with 52 VVS brilliant-cut diamonds (ref. 16.9400.670/01.I001). Both models feature the smaller Defy Skyline case, which has a 36mm diameter, a 40.6mm length, a 10.4mm thickness, and a 100m water resistance rating.

The stainless steel case is matched with a clean silver-tone dial with the Defy’s signature geometric motif of engraved four-pointed stars. As mentioned, for the more extravagant of the two, the dial and diamond-set bezel give the watch a proper blingy presence. Inside the case of both models, you will find the brand’s in-house Elite 670 automatic movement, which also powers the new Defy Revival A3643.

Through the sapphire window in the case back, you can see the movement and its signature star-shaped rotor. As mentioned, the caliber operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a 50-hour power reserve. Both watches come with a stainless steel bracelet and a black rubber strap. Zenith’s quick-release system makes it easy to swap the two whenever you’d like.

The new Zenith Defy Skyline 36 with the regular stainless steel bezel is available for €9,500 / US$9,400 / £8,300. Of course, the model with the diamond-set bezel is more expensive, retailing for €13,500 / US$13,300 / £11,500. What you get in return are some glittery touches to a monochromatic version of the smaller Defy Skyline 36.

Zenith Defy Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton

The sixth and final introduction is a rose gold version of the Zenith Defy Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton (ref. 18.9300.3630/78.I001) with a blue open-worked dial and a caliber with blue details. The tourbillon version of the Defy Skyline was introduced in early 2024, and we have since seen multiple versions of the watch. However, this is the first skeletonized Skyline Tourbillon, so it’s a new model in the lineup. This special 50-piece limited edition features a 41mm rose gold case with a 100m water resistance rating and a rose gold bracelet. Additionally, you will get a blue rubber strap with a rose gold clasp.

Within the signature Defy case is lies a blue PVD-treated open-worked dial (or minute track), which also features faceted, gold-plated indexes with Super-LumiNova. Hovering over the movement are solid-gold, faceted hands, which also have a healthy application of lume.

The skeletonized El Primero caliber 3630 SK is executed in a bright luminous blue. On top of that, the open-worked dial allows for a great view of the contrasting finishes and depth of the caliber and its bridges. The one-minute tourbillon sits in its usual position at 6 o’clock, and the rose gold bridge is a lovely visual tie-in to the indexes and hands.

As you can see, the other bridges and mainplate are treated with blue PVD, with some parts featuring rhodium-plated chamfers that catch the light. This tourbillon caliber operates at 36,000 vibrations per hour, and its mainspring, visible through the skeletonized barrel, provides a 50-hour power reserve. The 50 pieces of the new Defy Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton that Zenith will produce can be yours for €102,800 / US$103,700.

Final thoughts on the new Zenith Defy models

There you have it — all six new Zenith Defy releases for LVMH Watch Week 2026. As mentioned, it’s remarkable that the brand chose to introduce only Defy models at this year’s event. Then again, I expect to see releases within the other collections somewhere along the line in 2026.

For now, my favorite of the six new releases is the modern interpretation of the classic Zenith Defy A3643 from 1969. I love its characteristic case matched with the Gay Frères-style bracelet and the new silvery dial. It looks lovely and is a welcome addition to the lineup. I would love to find out more about that watch and the 36mm silver-dial Defy Skyline in a hands-on review. But tell us which of these new Defy releases is your favorite in the comments section.

For more information on these new models, head over to the official Zenith website.